He who is separated from the Catholic Church will not have life.
The Vatican City is the smallest country in the world. Officially, it is an observer state of the United Nations aswell as the last theocracy and absolute monarchy of Europe. While today it is as big as a city park and completely surrounded by Rome, it used to be a large kingdom, called
Regardless, the Vatican remains culturally significant due to being headed by the Pope, the spirtual head of the Catholic Church. It is almost completely populated by clergy and it amasses millions of visitors annually.
Country Profile
Nickname: The Holy SeeSize: ~0.49 km²
Population: ~882
Official Languages: Latin, Italian
Currency: Euro (€)
System of government: theocratic absolute elective monarchy
Updates
PAPACY
The papacy is perhaps one of the oldest continuous offices, having started in ~30 AD and still ongoing.
The Catholic Church is the spiritual authority over Catholicism, the largest denomination within Christianity, followers of which are called Catholics. The Vatican is the headquarters of the Pope, who is the head of the Catholic Church. Saint Peter, a direct follower of Jesus, is said to have started the Papacy all the way back in somewhere around the first century.
The very first medieval kingdoms of Europe were left without clear legitimacy over who ruled what after the Roman empire fell. When Charlemagne, ruler of the Franks, was officially crowned by THE Pope in 800, no one could deny his legitimacy over his kingdom. In theory, atleast. In exchange for spiritual recognition of his kingship, Charlemagne gave the Pope protection (through soldiers).
The Papacy used to rule over the Papal States, a patchwork of differing lands that saw the Pope as their material ruler. When calls for a single Italian state become more popular in the 19th century, otherwise known as Risorgimento, the Papacy was forced to give up all of its secular territories. After all, the Pope didin't have his own robust standing army, unlike the new Italian state.
Government
The Vatican is a theocratic absolute elective monarchy meaning the head of state holds complete executive power over the Vatican whilst being the spiritual leader of Catholicism. After his death or resignation, the College of Cardinals must elect a new one with a majority of two-thirds after a 15-20 day waiting period.
Nationalism
The Vatican lost its nationalism after it was stripped of all of its secular land, on account of having no ordinary citizens. Historically, though, the Papal States' 'nationalist' citizens were characterized by showing absolute loyalty to the Papacy by entrusting him to rule over their city or town or whatever
Economy
The Vatican relies on a system of donations, tourism and investment in real estate. Italy also grants various excemptions to the Vatican to make maintenace easier, like providing free utlity and tax breaks of Vatican commercial endeavors.
Ideology
Modern Vatican ideology revolves around its duty to keep Catholics on the correct path so they can enter Heaven after death. The Vatican has a longstanding history of struggling between a conservative and progressive doctrine, often leaning towards one depending on the ruling pope.
Reach
The Vatican's spiritual reach is enormous as its head of state, the Pope, is Jesus Christ's ambassador, acting on Earth in God's name. Also because Catholicism has around a billion followers.
